MLB Cy Young Odds 2025: AL & NL Favorites, Predictions

Starting pitchers may not carry the same weight in today’s game as they once did, but there’s still something special about watching the best take the mound every few days.

In 2024, that honor belonged to Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, both of whom claimed their first career Cy Young awards.

Here’s a look at the latest MLB betting odds and predictions for the 2025 Cy Young market:

AL Cy Young Odds 2025: Favorites

Skubal has reclaimed the title as betting favorite in the AL Cy Young market, passing Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet, who had been the favorite since the season’s opening week.

After winning the award last year, Skubal started as a +300 favorite when this market opened. He’s aiming to become the first back-to-back AL Cy Young winner since Pedro Martínez accomplished the feat in 1999 and 2000.

For what it’s worth, Jacob deGrom won consecutive NL Cy Young awards in 2018 and 2019. I don’t think voter fatigue should be a concern. If Skubal is the best pitcher in the AL, he will win this award.

Skubal dominated this race from start to finish last year after beginning as BetMGM’s most significant liability. He was a front-runner for much of the season, trading at minus odds by the All-Star break.

Skubal finished with an 18-4 record last summer, posting a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts over 192 innings.

However, I’m not convinced Skubal will remain the favorite in the AL Cy Young odds market in 2025.

Hunter Brown has been the best pitcher in the AL this spring, establishing himself as the Houston Astros’ ace. Keep an eye on his results in May.

Prediction: Hunter Brown

NL Cy Young Odds 2025: Favorites

Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes begins as the betting favorite to win the NL Cy Young after a remarkable rookie season. He finished third in voting last year and already has some of the best stuff in baseball. This is his award to lose, and the latest Cy Young odds reflect that.

However, this market didn’t go according to plan in 2024. Spencer Strider started as a +425 favorite to win the NL Cy Young award, but a different Atlanta pitcher claimed the honor.

Sale won his first Cy Young award in his age-35 season. He went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 29 starts. He struck out 225 batters in 177 2/3 innings of work. Sale was a 30/1 long shot to win the award entering the 2024 MLB season.

In the spirt of searching for this year’s long shot, I’m intrigued by the 100/1 price tag on New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes.

Holmes has converted from being a reliever with the New York Yankees last year to a formidable starter for their cross-town rival. Through one month of being a starter for the first time since 2018, Holmes has an ERA below 3.00 and a FIP closer to the low-2.00 range.

FanGraphs’ Cy Young projection model has Holmes finishing seventh in the NL race, with Logan Webb having the edge at this point in the season. I’d certainly side with Webb, but it’s worth monitoring this market for potential value.

Prediction: Logan Webb

MLB Cy Young Best Bets 2025

• Kansas City Royals LHP Cole Ragans +2400 for AL Cy Young (May 2)

2024 AL Cy Young Voting

2024 NL Cy Young Voting

List of AL & NL Cy Young Winners

*There was only one award for both leagues from 1956-66.

Players With Most Cy Young Awards

Roger Clemens has won the most Cy Young Awards (seven):

Roger Clemens: 7
Randy Johnson: 5
Greg Maddux: 4
Steve Carlton: 4

Teams With Most Cy Young Awards

The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers have the most Cy Young Awards (12):

Dodgers: 12
Braves: 8
Mets: 7
Phillies: 7
Red Sox: 7

Has a Rookie Ever Won the Cy Young Award?

Fernando Valenzuela is the only rookie to win the Cy Young.

As a 21-year-old for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, Valenzuela won the NL Cy Young. He was led the MLB in strikeouts and won NL Rookie of the Year in leading the Dodgers to the World Series.